ED1ZAC - READ BCAST 49

VK7AX > BCAST 16.11.25 00:00l 674 Lines 27221 Bytes #198 (0) @ WW BID : 6045_VK7AX Read: GUEST Subj: VK National News 16Nov25 Path: ED1ZAC<ED1ZAC<LU1DBQ<I0OJJ<IR0AAB<HB9ON<VK7AX Sent: 251116/0057Z 6045@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.AUNZ LinBPQ6.0.24 VK National News 16Nov25 Weekly news from the WIA: MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2025-11-16.mp3 Text edition: 2025 NOVEMBER 16 WIA NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA ------------------------------------------------------------* THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK THIS LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos ------------------------------------------------------------* IN NATIONAL NEWS THIS WEEK:- Angelo VK2NWT, WIA Affiliated Clubs Coordinator. - Phil Wait VK2ASD for the WIAs Education Committee. - Jason VK2LAW asks us to refrain from using 7.095 MHz. - Felix VK4FUQ tells us of the worlds largest Amateur Radio competition. - Kent Peterson KCDGY from NewsLine 'illuminates' us when he joins VK3GTV Colin and for those in VK4, hot on the heels of another successful Gold Coast HamFest comes news of the Redcliffe clubs REDFEST. --- BUT WAIT - THERE'S MUCH MUCH MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING SUNDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2025.. I'M EDITOR GRAHAM VK4BB WIA JOIN THE WIA tinyurl.com/yyj87b9y Gday everyone. This is Angelo VK2NWT, WIA Affiliated Clubs Coordinator. The next WIA Affiliated Clubs Webinar, the final for the year, is in just three weeks time on Sunday the 7th of December. All Affiliated club Presidents are invited to join in the presentation which will be hosted by WIA President, Scott Williams along with other presenters to discuss some of the items that the WIA is working on for the benefit of all amateur radio operators in Australia. The agenda for the Webinar will be sent out soon as well as the link for registering online for the meeting. As in the past, all Clubs Presidents are invited to submit any items you wish to raise for discussion. Topic submissions should be sent to me using the following email address: clubs@nationaloffice.wia.org.au Whilst the duration of the Webinar is around an hour, in the event that we cannot get to your submission the WIA will take it under advisement for future Webinars. These meetings are proving very popular and a great way to connect with other club Presidents and the WIA looks forward to the next meeting. If you have any questions about the Webinar or other Affiliated Club matters in general, then please dont hesitate to contact me. This has been Angelo VK2NWT for WIA National News. Just Answering - Electromagnetic Radiation Safety This is Phil Wait VK2ASD for the WIAs Education Committee In last weeks broadcast, in a segment entitled Just Asking, Dougal VK4EKA highlighted the fact that as radio amateurs we are required to show compliance with Australian Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) Safety Standards. Dougal is absolutely right. This requirement has been part of all our licence conditions since 2003, both under Apparatus Licensing and the current Class Licensing. Dougal is also right that we need to keep records showing that our stations comply, and that those records need to be kept available for inspection by a Commonwealth Officer. But how on earth do we do that? Well, if the link on the WIA website that Dougal referred to was up and running, and pointing to the Education Committee website, it all would by crystal clear. There, you will find a simple assessment flowchart to follow, and, for stations that need further analysis, a link to the RSGBs excellent online EMR calculator. By using these tools, assessing your station for compliance with EMR safety standards is quite straightforward, and so is the record keeping. Go to the WIAs Education Committee website education.wia.org.au and click on the Club Resources tab. Clubs especially should take a good look at that page, and perhaps the WIA will provide a link to it from their own website. Thanks to Dougal for asking, and highlighting EMR safety. Once again, that website: education.wia.org.au ------------------------------------------------------------* INTERNATIONAL NEWS is with thanks to Amateur Radio Daily, ARRL, DX-WORLD, eHam, Hackaday, IARU, IRTS, NEWSLINE, NZART, RAC, Radioworld.com, RSGB, SARL and the World Wide sources of WIA. The Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters' Society (MARTS) has urged all amateur radio operators, particularly in Region 3, to refrain from using the 7.095 MHz frequency, which is currently being used by PARA, the Philippine Amateur Radio Association for emergency communications following Typhoon Fung-wong in that country. The move was taken after the International Amateur Radio Union Region 3 issued an official notice requesting the cooperation of all amateur radio stations in the region to keep the 7.095 MHz frequency clear to allow emergency traffic to operate without disruption. This story, although primarily for our RSGB members viewing or listening contains an idea almost EVERY ham radio club in Australia should look at emulating. Whether you have only recently soldered your first wire in a kit build or you have experience in designing an advanced software or systems engineering project, the RSGB Construction Competition is for you! As part of the RSGBs strategic growth priority, it wants to inspire people from different communities to find out more about amateur radio. That is why the Society has introduced a new category this year called Reimagination. If you think your project could be interesting to the maker community, or you have an idea that could encourage people from groups such as Mens Sheds to try amateur radio, this is the category for you. If it is radio-related but motivates non-radio amateurs to find out more, the RSGB welcomes your entry! There are six other categories which means there really is something for everyone. You must be an RSGB member to enter but you can live anywhere in the world, as entries will be judged online to allow you to participate and demonstrate your creativity remotely. The deadline for entries is the 1st of March 2026 So for new club members and new hams, why not consider YOUR local Men's Shed. Researchers at the College of Engineering at the University of Connecticut (UConn) are actively working to better understand how different wave-absorbent materials can be used to reduce high-level exposure to electromagnetic (EM) wave radiation. The research on reducing EM wave radiation exposure is highlighted in an article published on the website of UConn Today. According to the article, Julia Valla, an associate professor in the chemical and biomolecular engineering department, along with her team of students, is evaluating how the use of ion-exchanged zeolites can support the absorption of EM wave radiation. Under the partial sponsorship of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Julia is evaluating the structures of four separate zeolites then making small changes to each structure in order to improve its performance. tinyurl.com/ctknab88 The recent saga of AM and FM radio in cars usually comes down to whether or not it is included as an option, or to electric interference within the vehicle. But a new cease and desist letter issued by Neal Ardman, the owner of Georgia-based radio company NIA Broadcasting, highlights the potential visual alteration of metadata sent by stations, including via RDS and HD Radio. It stems from what he has observed in his own Porsche Taycan GTS, which is manufactured by VW. Display data sent from his stations via RDS and HD, including the HD Radio Artist Experience, is supplanted by what he said is its own on board metadata service. As an example, last month, a 15-year old in Kingsland, Ga., went missing, which is where Ardmans 106.3 WKBX(FM), K-Bay 106, is located. He said the station ran the boys picture via HD Radios Artist Experience feature, in conjunction with the Camden County sheriffs office. He said the boys picture showed up on most auto displays but not on the Porsche Taycans. The Porsches metadata, Ardman said, often will attempt to match up currently playing artist and song title data to its own database, which he cited is often either inaccurate or outdated. If the listener sees it, they hold us responsible, Ardman said. Oh and HD Radio is akin to our DAB+ services in Australia. tinyurl.com/6pcm94hx Streaming aggregator TuneIn is being acquired by Stingray Group in a transaction valued up to $175 million. The agreement will see TuneIn, which will continue to operate under its existing brand, integrate its streaming and ad platform with Stingrays distribution network. Headquartered in Montreal, Stingray Group owns more than 100 stations in major and regional markets through Stingray Radio, making it one of Canadas largest commercial radio operators. TuneIn reports more than 75 million monthly active listeners in over 100 countries, offering access to 100,000 radio stations, podcasts, and digital audio channels. Its platform spans more than 200 connected devices, including integrations with major automotive manufacturers, smart speakers, and mobile systems. ------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION -------------- -------------- --------------------- This weekend sees the running of the ARRL Sweepstakes Contest SSB: 2100Z, Nov 15 to 0300Z, Nov 17 with a geographic focus on the United States and Canada. (contestcalendar) --------------- ALSO THIS WEEKEND :- HOMEBREW & OLDTIME - EQUIPMENT - PARTY ( THE HOT - PARTY ) Once a year homebrewers and enthusiasts of oldtime-equipment introduce their creations on the HOT-PARTY. Skilful revived museum pieces are giving signs of life as well as brand new constructions around ICs and SMD. The HOT PARTY is where lovingly restored and maintained commercial radio equipment meets rigorous home brewing. You don't need a complete homebrewed station or a complete "line". An old RX or a homemade TX "stand alone" is sufficient for your entrance. WHEN AND WHERE? NOV 16, 1300-1500 UTC: 7010-7040 kHz THEN NOV 16 1500-1700 UTC: 3510-3560 kHz qrpcc.de/contestrules/hotr.html ---------------------- NOVEMBER 29-30 The CQ WW is the largest Amateur Radio competition in the world. Over 35,000 participants take to the airwaves and the last weekend of November is the CQ WORLD WIDE CW TEST. The goal is making as many contacts with as many different DXCC entities and CQ Zones as possible. Starts: Zero hundred hours UTC Saturday. End 2359 UTC Sunday. --------------- YOTA Contests December The Fishers Ghost Amateur Radio Club are hosting the inaugural VK YOTA CONTEST, the entire month of December. yota.fgarc.org.au/ Then just 3 days from the end of what we call the VK YOTA CONTEST comes ROUND 3 of the YOTA contest organized by the IARU R1 Youth Working Group in cooperation with the Hungarian Amateur Radio Society. DECEMBER 29. A great way to gain extra contacts for the VK Contest organised by Fishers Ghost AR Club. yotacontest.mrasz.org ---------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- NOW LET'S OPEN THE DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD. ------------ Switzerland. 4 U 0 ITU is the call sign for the International Amateur Radio Club at ITU HQ in Geneva to use from 16 May to the end of the year in celebration of the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union. QSL via LoTW, Club Logs OQRS, or direct to IARC, PO Box 6, 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland. (sarl) ---------------- CROATIA 9 A 169 TESLA This is a special callsign that will be used until 31 December in celebration of the 169th anniversary since the birth of Nikola Tesla (10 July 1856). QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW, Club Log, and QRZ Logbook. (425dex) ------------- 80th anniversary of the Technical University of Sofia operating special event station LZ 80 TUS. On the air now 1 through December 24th. (ard) ------------- REMINDERS NOVEMBER ------------- ZL 100 C is the callsign celebrating the centenary of NZART the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters which was formed on 16 August 1926. The callsign is valid until 6 August 2026. QSL via the bureau and LoTW. (425dxnews) --------- To mark the 60th anniversary since the first French satellite, named Asterix, was launched into orbit, on 26 November 1965, members of the Wingles Radio Club (F 4 KLR) will be active as TM 60 ATX on Fridays and Saturdays between 14 November and 13 December and again on 19-23 December. All SSB and CW QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau; FT8 QSOs will be confirmed via eQSL. (425dxnes) -------------- -------------------------------------------------------------. ------------------------------ WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ASTRONOMY (and Wireless Weather) When we think of weather we often think of sunshine, or lack thereof Our first story in Special Interest Group news this week sheds some light on a satellite company's plan to shed some light - some real reflected light, from the sun back to the earth after twilight, this to benefit solar power users. Kent Peterson KCDGY from NewsLine 'illuminates us. The FCC's Space Bureau has been asked to approve a proposed launch next April for a satellite in non-geostationary orbit that will deploy mirrors to provide "sunlight on demand," according to the company's website. Reflect Orbital, a start-up company based in California, filed its application this past summer for a license for what it hopes will be the first of 4,000 mirrored satellites that it wants to place in low-Earth orbit by 2030. The April launch is being eyed for a demonstration satellite which will carry a mirror that measures 18-by-18 meters, or 60-by-60 feet. Sunlight's reflection by that envisioned constellation would extend daylight beyond twilight by as much as four hours, increasing solar-power production to locations where Reflect Global has customers. The company says that its technology supports clean-energy generation - but astronomers, biologists and other scientists have raised questions about the prospect of light pollution on human and animal health and the ability to study the skies effectively. Astronomers in particular have said that lighting up dark skies would impede their work, which uses sensitive cameras. According to published reports, Reflect Orbital recently began working with astronomers to minimize the mirrors' impact. on them. Meanwhile, scientists have observed how nocturnal species' lives can be disrupted and perhaps imperilled by artificial light during the night. This past May, the US Air Force awarded the project a $1.25 million Small Business Innovation Research contract to support its progress. (newsline 2506) Ai Fix from Earth Restores James Webb Telescope Clarity, No Astronauts Needed, just VK2 initiative. NASAs James Webb Space Telescope has received a remarkable upgrade not from astronauts or hardware, but from artificial intelligence. Researchers at the University of Sydney developed a software-based solution that corrected subtle image blurring in one of JWSTs most sensitive instruments, restoring the telescopes precision without the need for any on-orbit servicing mission. The issue affected JWSTs Aperture Masking Interferometer (AMI), a specialized instrument designed to resolve extremely fine features when observing stars and exoplanets. Soon after operations began, scientists noticed faint distortions caused by tiny electronic effects within the infrared detector. Rather than planning a complex repair mission, similar to how astronauts serviced the Hubble Space Telescope decades ago, the team pursued a software-only approach. Two PhD researchers, Louis Desdoigts and Max Charles, created a new calibration system called AMIGO that uses artificial intelligence to model the behaviour of JWSTs detector in space. By correcting a phenomenon known as the brighter-fatter effect, where electrical charge slightly spreads between pixels, their software restored AMIs ability to produce extremely sharp, high-contrast images from millions of miles away. tinyurl.com/yv4dvmzb (amsat) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER AMSAT-VK Secretary - secretary(at)amsat-vk.org CatSat is listening or YOU, when the linear transponder is active, listens on 5.663 GHz and transmits on 10.47 GHz, providing approximately 200 kHz of bandwidth. Power considerations limit each activation to about 15 minutes, a balance that allows the spacecraft to support both mission science and amateur communications. CatSat, a 6U CubeSat developed and flown by students, faculty, and staff at the University of Arizona in partnership with FreeFall Aerospace and Rincon Research, has been on orbit since July 2024 and is now entering the phase of its mission focused on community engagement and technology demonstration. Measuring roughly the size of a family-size cereal box, the spacecraft carries a suite of experimental payloads, including ionospheric monitoring via high-frequency radio measurements and imaging of the Earth, CatSat includes a linear transponder for amateur radio, extending the University of Arizonas long legacy in space science down to hands-on student involvement. Frequencies again? 5.663 GHz (uplink) and transmits on 10.47 GHz (downlink), catsat.arizona.edu tinyurl.com/4ath7dtu (amsat) The European Space Agency, ESA now estimates that over 140 MILLION pieces of space debris, each larger than 1 mm, are traveling in Earths orbit at an average velocity of 7-8 km/second. As the number of defunct and fragmented human-made objects in space rapidly increases, so do the hazards they presentthis number has grown. The Tiangong Space Stations core module, Tianhe, launched in 2021 was impacted by a Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris event within just two years. The impact damaged solar panels, causing a partial loss of power, necessitating two spacewalks for repairs and the installation of external debris protection devices. The 25-year-old International Space Station has performed more than THIRTY in-orbit manoeuvres to avoid satellites and trackable space debris. MMOD damage over the years to the ISS has impacted Russian Progress and Soyuz vehicles, Canadarm2, and one of the seven windows of the cupola. When the Resurs-P1 satellite broke apart in 2024, creating more than 100 pieces of trackable debris, the ISS crew took emergency shelter in their return vehicles for over an hour. (orbitalindex) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - MILITARY Recordings of military transmissions can be found on the Signal Identification Guide Wiki at sigidwiki.com/wiki/Category:Military youtube.com/@militaryhfradio244 open.spotify.com/playlist/28SXuX8vL2wHbnfCS0uBVF?si=d9ee366a38a4472e SA Armour Museum:- ZS 4 AFV, from the SA Armour Museum, will be active on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 November from the Maluti Military Fair at the Sandstone Heritage Estate in the Eastern Free State. The AFV suffix stands for Armoured Fighting Vehicle. QSL via ClubLog. (sarl) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS - YOTA (Youngsters On The Air) WIA committee:- Steve VK6SJ, Alec VK2MV and Pete VK2LP. ham-yota.com/category/yota-region-3/ facebook.com/groups/YOTAOC/ youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaA CB radio enthusiasts and hams are taking to the mountains for an annual challenges. What started as an experiment between two teenagers testing the range of their walkie-talkies later grew into a test of CB radios' range in young drivers' cars. The activity, which began formally in 1987, is known as the Mountain Radio Challenge and it is a test of what a radio operator can accomplish using only line-of-sight communications. This year's challenge is taking place on Saturday the 29th of November. Instead of school kids on beaches, this growing challenge attracts CB radio operators on 27 MHz and amateur radio operators on the ham frequencies, many of whom are also activating SOTA summits. Tony Lock, the founder and event director, told our US Sister publication 'Newsline' in an email that the very challenge that began long ago between himself and a schoolmate has since expanded to several groups on hills within his home state of Victoria and has expanded to Tasmania, South Australia and here in New South Wales. The objective is to transmit a predetermined relay message in one direction, from one operator to the next, and a responding message back in the reverse direction. According to the event website, although ham radio operators will not be participating in the message relay itself, their presence on the mountains is still useful because the hams can help with operator coordination and, of course, if there is a need for emergency communications. For details about participating, see the link the text version of this week's WIA NATIONAL NEWS. mountainradiochallenge.weebly.com (newsline 2506) ] WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO After Hurricane Melissa, more than 70 percent of Jamaica was left without power -- causing major communication outages. With many areas offline, families often had to travel just to find a signal or a phone line. Some students waited with no word back from family. "I pretty much used that Amateur Radio Emergency Service that and the traffic systems that we use both through the ARRL and then Radio Relay International and we finally got some Puerto Rico contacts, said Derrick Ouellette who is the Maine Section Emergency Coordinator for the ARRL. (eHam) Radio amateurs from the Radio Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL) participated in the Indian Ocean Wave 2025 exercise (IOWave25), coordinated by UNESCOs intergovernmental coordination group for Indian Ocean tsunamis, November 5 RSSL supported the Disaster Management Centre by operating HF and VHF emergency communication networks during the exercise, which tested tsunami preparedness and communication readiness across Indian Ocean nations. (arrl) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- SOFTWARE FOR HAMS Finding older versions of particular software can be a real chore, all too often only made possible by the sheer grace and benevolence of their creators. At the same time older versions of software can be the only way to dodge undesirable upgrades, track down regressions, do historical research, set up a retro computer system, and so on. This is where an archive like OldVersion.com is/was incredibly useful, offering thousands of installers for software covering a number of platforms. Unfortunately, as noted on the website, they recently lost their main source of incoming in the form of Google advertising. This means that after launching in 2001, this archive may have to be shut down before long. Although these days we have sites like Archive.org to do more large scale archiving, OldVersion.com is special for being focused and well-organized, along with a long and rich history that would be a shame to lose. (twiar) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VHF AND ABOVE. Over in the UK, Ofcom, their regulator akin to our ACMA, has agreed to the RSGB request to extend the 146-147MHz Notice of Variation for a further year. It is available on a non-interference basis and the NoV is subject to a 30-day notice period of change or withdrawal. Full licence holders can apply to use the 146 147MHz band. (twiar) WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - VIDEO SSTV, the International Space Station is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special SSTV event, transmitting images from space. This commenced Wednesday November 12th and runs until November 20th. The event, organized by Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, will feature 12 images using the PD120 encoding on a frequency of 145.800MHz. For this new series, there will be six images of ISS at 25, and six images concerning scouting. This marks the 25th anniversary of both the ISS and ARISS's role as the station's first educational payload. (irts) ------------------------------------------------------------* IT'S A DATE Clubs are welcome to email text with audio for this section, nationalnews@wia.org.au Details of all WIA affiliated clubs and societies can be found on the WIA website, including email addresses and website links. ---------------------------- 2025 VK3 - Rosebud RadioFest, Eastbourne Primary School, Rosebud (wiacal) November Sixteen. VK3 - NOVEMBER 21. Hi Im Graeme VK3GRK from Bendigo. Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics Club invites you to our November meeting. Join Heath VK3TWO, as he provides an interesting presentation on LoRa in Ham Radio and Emergency Communications. LoRa, or Long Range, is a wireless communication technology for long-range, low-power devices. Not only is it used for APRS, Automatic Packet Reporting System but the technology can also be used for off-grid text communications using networks such as Meshtastic and MeshCore. Subjects covered will include Meshtastic Basics Meshcore Basics & the VK3 Network Reticulum overview LoRa APRS Basics An overview of LoRa in High Altitude Balloon Launches Equipment Examples, and getting connected for under $30 The presentation commences at 7.30 pm, Friday November 21st at BAREC Headquarters, Bendigo East Hall, 35 Lansell St. A gold coin donation would be appreciated, and a light supper will be provided. The presentation will also be available live via Zoom. Zoom details: Topic: ' LoRa in Ham Radio and Emergency Communications' - BAREC presentation. Time: Friday November 21st at 7.30pm AEDT. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84406531024?pwd=dkNUYXlDWnFNbmk4MDhxQ21HZTBpZz09 Meeting ID: 844 0653 1024 Passcode: 535376 (vk3grk) VK2 - PICTON HAMFEST November 23 Picton Show Ground 8AM (vk2xqx) VK8 - Darwin Amateur Radio Club Xmas Party 6:30pm Dec 3 (wiacal) VK - Dec 7 WIA Affiliated Clubs briefing webinar (wiacal) --------------------- SOCIAL SCENE 2026 ------------------ VK3 - Ballarat Amateur Radio Group Hamvention Sunday Feb 1 (wiacal) VK6 - PARGFEST Mandurah Bowling Club February 7 9am (vk6pbs) VK4 - Redfest - Deception Bay North State School 9am April 11. (vk4ble) The Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club will be holding Redfest 2026 on the 11th of April 2026 at the Deception Bay North State School, 49 Old Bay Road, Deception Bay starting at 9am. For further information contact the Club Secretary, secretary(at)redclifferadioclub.org.au VK - WIA AGM May 2 at 2pm Albury VK2 (wiacal) Reception Reports No we DO like to hear where in the world you are listening to this, the WIA NATIONAL NEWS SERVICE. WIA News rebroadcasters often give Short Wave Listeners a welcome to the broadcast as they commence call-backs straight after the Local News. Local news follows National news in all states. It would be great if those SWL's would email their reception reports and location to callbacks(at)wia.org.au Not only but also those watching us on YouTube, leave a comment , access is just below the picture on screen and again tell us where and maybe even the day and time you are listening ---------------------------------------------------------------* (Posted to the packet network courtesy Tony VK7AX)
Read previous mail | Read next mail